W/SFBC
Free Urban Cycling Workshop: Intro to Safe Cycling (Day 1): Want to feel more comfortable riding on city streets? Join the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition and learn the basics, tips, and techniques to be bicycle savvy and smart. This four-hour class is offered for adults and anyone over 14. Dec. 5, 10 a.m.–2 p.m. South Beach Harbor Community Room, Pier 40A at The Embarcadero. Pre-registration is required. Bring your lunch. Sign up at sfbike.org/edu.
• Winterfest Party, Fundraiser and Art Show: Ride on down, valet your bike and boogie into Winterfest 2009. After grabbing your complimentary New Belgium beer, enjoy a festive evening filled with 1,000 other bike-friendly party folk. Score deals on amazing local art, bike gear, local goodies and bike crafts. Winterfest is the best place to find the new bike of your dreams at a great price. DJ’s and food vendors all night long. $15/for SFBC Members, or join at the door for $40 (Includes 1-year SF Bicycle Coalition membership + admission). Dec. 6, 6 p.m.–10:30 p.m. SOMArts Gallery, 934 Brannan St. at 8th St. More info at www.sfbike.org.
 
@ The Randall Museum
Holiday Crafts Day: A family day of make-and-take crafts, ideal for seasonal decorations & holiday gifts, plus special kid-friendly entertainment. 10 a.m.–3 p.m., Sat., Dec. 5. Crafts break from 12 noon to 1 p.m. for special holiday entertainment. All ages. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Craft prices & activities vary depending on materials.
• Drop-In-Art Classes for Adults: Explore your artistic side at an evening drop-in art workshop geared for adults. All levels of artistic experience are welcome. A different art project and medium will be explored each week.
January 7, 7-9:30 p.m.: Matchbox Shrines
Create a tribute to a person, animal, or idea, in miniature. Participants are encouraged to bring in any small significant items to personalize their mini shrines.
January 14, 7-9:30 p.m.: Paper Window Hangings
Make a paper window hanging using thick, exquisite, handmade paper.
January 21, 7-9:30 p.m.: Handmade Soaps
Experiment with fragrance oils, and natural herbs or spices, while using molds to make glycerin soap.
January 28, 7-9:30 p.m.: Found Wooden Sculptures
Build an abstract or representational wooden sculpture using the Randall Museum’s abundant wood scrap supply. Cost: $20; includes materials.
• Meet the Animals: Come to meet and learn about the live animals who live at the museum every Saturdays in January. Dates: Saturdays, January 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30, 2010 at 11 a.m. All ages. Free.
• After-School Science Classes: Classes run for five-weeks on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, or Fridays, 4-5:30 p.m. Registration begins on Dec. 12. First session begins the first week in January 2010. Appropriate for ages 8-12. $60 per person per session; pre-registration is required. (415) 431.3548 or www.sfreconline.org
••••Randall Museum, 199 Museum Way (off Roosevelt, at Corona Heights). Call for details (415) 554.9600 or www.randallmuseum.org.
 
@ Pier 39
The Richmond/Ermet AIDS Foundation (REAF) presents a special One Night Only Holiday Cabaret featuring patty Duke, Teal Wicks with cast members from WICKED and other special guests including Lucie Arnaz a Broadway star (accompanied by Ron Abel); RJ Helton, American Idol star; Connie Champagne and Leanne Borghesi, Cabaret stars. Monday, Dec. 7 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $50 Performance Only and $100 Preferred Reserved. Tickets are available by phone (415) 273-1620 or online at www.helpisontheway.org. J’LaChic Theatre 39 — on Pier 39, San Francisco.
 
@ Botanical Garden
“Plant Portraits” an exhibition of botanical prints by Kristin Jakob. The exhibit is open to the public through Dec. 30 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Open Daily (closed on major holidays). Helen Crocker Russell Library of Horticulture, San Francisco Botanical Garden At Strybing Arboretum, Golden Gate Park 9th Avenue at Lincoln Way, San Francisco (415) 661-1316 x403 or www.sfbotanicalgarden.org
 
@ Community Music Center
CMC presents a new version of La Posarela — a traditional Mexican celebration and holiday play commemorating Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of “posada” (the Spanish word for shelter). With Latin music and Christmas carols sung in Spanish and English, this play also features new arrangements by CMC faculty member Chus Alonso. Performers include members of the Latin Music Vocal Workshop, Mission District Young Musicians Program, and Coro del Pueblo directed by Martha Rodriguez-Salazar, and the Children's Chorus directed by Beth Wilmurt. The audience is invited to break a piñata and enjoy Mexican refreshments after the performance.
 FREE Friday, Dec. 11 and 
Sat., Dec. 12 at 7 p.m.

• CMC's Holiday Party, Featuring Amahl and the Night Visitors. In keeping with a longstanding tradition, the Ina Chalis Opera Ensemble performs the holiday favorite "Amahl and the Night Visitors" by Gian Carlo Menotti. A reception will follow with balloon-animals and holiday treats. If you're good, you just may see Santa Claus there with stockings for the kids. FREE. Sun., Dec. 13 at 11:30 a.m.
• 
CMC Teen Jazz Band: Ken Rosen's band plays swing, rock, funk, and jazz and premieres a new composition by singer/songwriter Alexei Wajchman of the Blind Willies. Alexei grew up on Capp Street and was a longtime scholarship student at CMC, studying with Ken Rosen and Urs Leonhardt Steiner. In addition to singing and playing guitar with the band, Alexei will play songs from his forthcoming album.
 FREE. Sun., Dec. 13 at 4 p.m.
• Adult Certificate Program Graduation and Performance : This graduation concert features CMC's Adult Certificate Program musicians and is hosted by Program Coordinator Jono Kornfeld. FREE. Monday, Dec. 14 at 7:30 p.m.
• Scenes Workshop Performance : Students perform works from opera and musical theatre, including excerpts from Le Nozze di Figaro, South Pacific, Finian's Rainbow, Alcina, and Iolanthe.
 FREE. Friday, Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.

 
@ The SF Public Main Library
The San Francisco Public Library is bringing back its annual interactive toy train display, All Aboard: San Francisco Public Library Holiday Train, featuring beloved toy trains based on children’s literature. Now in its fourth year, the electric toy train layout features the Polar Express, from the book by Chris Van Allsburg, Thomas the Tank Engine, from the book series by W. Awdry, and the Hogwarts Express from the Harry Potter book series. The trains will be on display in front of the Fisher Children’s Center, Main Library, 2nd Floor, from Dec. 5 through Jan. 7, 2010.
• SF Public Library commemorates the 20^th anniversary of German reunification with the December series theme: Back in the GDR (German Democratic Republic): The Berlin Wall and the Former East Germany on Film. The five films to be shown on Thursdays at Noon in the Koret Auditorium of the Main Library are:
• Dec. 3: One, Two, Three (1961, 115 min.) A comedy about Coca-Cola's man in West Berlin, who may be fired if he can't keep his American boss's daughter from marrying a Communist. The film stars James Cagney.
• Dec. 10: The Spy Who Came in From the Cold (1964, 110 min.) A veteran spy wants to "come in from the cold" to retirement. He undertakes one last assignment in which he pretends defection and provides the enemy with sufficient evidence to label their leader a double agent.  The film stars Richard Burton.
• Dec. 17: Night Crossing (1981, 117 min.) Two men want to escape from East Germany (under Communist rule) but they will only go if they can take their families with them. The film is based on a true story and stars John Hurt.
• Dec. 24: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001, 91 min.) The film tells the tale of a flamboyant sex-changed German glam-rock diva who seeks love and stardom in her new home. The film is based on the off-Broadway stage musical by John Cameron Mitchell.
• Dec. 31: Good Bye Lenin (2003, 121 min.) In 1990, to protect his fragile mother from a fatal shock after a long coma, a young man must keep her from learning that her beloved East Germany has disappeared.
All films are shown with captions when possible to assist deaf and hard of hearing patrons. All programs at the Library are free. 100 Larkin Street. (415) 557-4282. sfpl.org.
 
@ FIFTY24SF Gallery
“The Dark Wave” New Works by Herbert Baglione at FIFTY24SF Gallery: Inspired by Brazil’s street culture, Baglione experiments with new ways to look at his urban environment of Sao Paulo through graffiti. Alongside these efforts are Baglione’s distinctive mural designs and stretched figures representing humans and aliens. These are often balancing elongated and rounded extremes with dramatic iconic symbols such as familiar urban architecture. “The Dark Wave” features new sketches and paintings on canvas on display from Dec. 10-Jan. 28, 2010. Gallery Hours: Tuesday–Saturday from 12-6 p.m. and by appointment. 248 Fillmore St. (415) 252-9144
 
@ Delfina
Join Delfina on Sunday, Dec. 13
for a HOLIDAY CRAFT FAIR featuring the talent of Delfina’s staff. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3621 18th St.
 
@ El Rio
Kung Pao Kosher Comedy Presents Comedy Returns to El Rio! James Judd, Yayne Abeba, Ross Turner, Sammy Obeid, Lisa Geduldig, and a Special Guest. Monday, Dec. 14. 8 p.m. (note new time). El Rio 3158 Mission St @ Precita. TICKETS: $7-$20 (Pay whatever you want.), www.brownpapertickets.com OR - 800-838-3006. Since it's a bar, patrons must be over 21. (415) 522-3737 - www.koshercomedy.com

@ Oddball Films
Altered States, a program exploring surrealism, ritual and trance in a variety of cinematic styles through the eyes of 20th century avant-garde and ethnographic filmmakers. This program showcases altered states through the eyes of the filmmakers witnessing or by their hands creating. Films include: Norman McLaren’s Phantasy, Luis Buñuel and Salvador Dali’s Un Chien Andalou, Invocation of my Demon Brother by Kenneth Anger, A Study in Choreography for the Camera, by Maya Deren, Trance and Dance in Bali by Gregory Bateson and Margaret Mead, Tanka by David LeBruun and many more. Sat., Dec. 5th at 8:30 p.m. Admission: $10.00 RSVP Only to: 415-558-8117 or info@oddballfilm.com
• “Close Encounters of the Weird Kind,” a collection of films from, on, and in outer space. This compilation of strange and curious films ranges from incredible celestial photography with trippy electronic music to the animated quirkiness of 1960s Croatian space animation. Films include: Spaceborne, Flash Gordon Chapter 1, A Visit From Outer Space, Space Angel #33, It Came From Outer Space, The Solar Family, The Origin of the Moon, and The Future Belongs to the Airman.  Plus, a visit from William Shatner in Model Rocketry and a galaxy of space-age commercials and movie trailers! Oddball Films, 275 Capp St. (Off Mission, between 17th and 18th, Mission and South Van Ness). Sat., Dec. 12 at 8:30 p.m. $10.00 RSVP (Limited seating) to info@oddballfilm.com or (415) 558.8117.
 
@ CCSF’s Gough Facility
The Board of Trustees of the San Francisco Community College District (City College of San Francisco) will hold its regular public monthly business meeting on Thursday, Dec.17 at 6 p.m. in the Auditorium at the College’s 33 Gough Street Facility. This meeting will be videotaped and telecast Wednesdays at 8:30 p.m. on EaTV Cable Channel 27, beginning Dec. 23. For further information, visit City College of San Francisco Website at www.ccsf.edu
 
@ Mission Cultural Center
Join MCCLA for this Fall’s performance and exhibition from a semester of hard work demonstrating dance, music, and more. Come out and support our community. Featured Classes: Argentine Tango, Egyptian Belly Dance, Nicaraguan Folkloric Dance, Keyboard / Piano, Latin Dance Grooves, Latin American Folkloric Dance, Samba Jan Brazilian Percussion, as well as Paper and Textile Silkscreen, and more. Sat., Dec. 12.Exhibition in Inti Raymi Gallery: 12 noon - 2 pm / FREE (Reception on Dec. 17).Performance in the Theatre: 2-5 p.m. $5 admission.
• Carnival of the Animals: A holiday party show and auction at MCCLA’s main gallery with Artwork created by Colette Crutcher and her students, available for sale to the highest bidder. Proceeds will benefit MCCLA. These sculptures were featured at the San Francisco Symphony's Day of the Dead Concert. The Paper Mache animals range in size from 6 Inches to 10 Ft. Bid prices range from $10 to $500 approximately. For preview visit: www.missionculturalcenter.org with information about opening bids and information about gallery hours. Reception, refreshments and music GRUPO POTAJE. Dec. 17. 7-9 p.m. The Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts 2868 Mission St., (415) 821.1155.

@ Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Library
A new photography exhibition, Snap/shot: 99 Years of Looking Fabulous, opens Nov. 14 at the Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Library. The exhibition is comprised of photographs donated to the San Francisco Public Library by gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LGBTQI) community members from throughout the city. The exhibit will be on view through Feb. 14, 2010. 1 José Sarria Court (near 16^th and Market streets).
 
@ Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival presents THE INSOMNIAC CITY CYCLES – a visually intoxicating experimental psychodrama by Israeli multimedia artist Ron Slavin – in the Screening Room of the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St. Tuesday, Jan. 5 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets: $8.00 general admission and $6.00 for students, seniors, and Jewish Film Forum or YBCA members. For tickets and information, please call (415) 978-2787. The film will be preceded by two short films by Slavin, EVERYTHING IS URGENT and ALENBI MOMENT. The combined program is 74 minutes. INSOMNIAC CITY CYCLES includes some nudity and intense and/or violent imagery.
 
@ Thrillpeddlers’ Hypnodrome
• Thrillpeddlers extends PEARLS OVER SHANGHAI—The Cockettes Musical — The Run-away Hit of 2009 extended through Jan. 23, 2010. All January shows will feature an AFTERGLOW FLOORSHOW, a Musical Tribute to Celebrate the 40^th Anniversary of the Cockettes following PEARLS OVER SHANGAI Performances. Tickets: $30-$69. Thrillpeddlers’ Hypnodrome is at 575 10th St. (Bryant & Division sts.) More info at http://thrillpeddlers.com.
 
@ Intersection for the Arts
Intersection for the Arts proudly presents One Day: A Collective Narrative of Tehran, a project organized by San Francisco-based artist Taraneh Hemami and Tehran-based artist Ghazaleh Hedayat of modern day Tehran, Iran. Featuring the work of eight artists living in Tehran - Nima Alizadeh, Saba Alizadeh, Mohammad Ghazali, Ghazaleh Hedayat, Abbas Kowsari, Mehran Mohajer, Neda Rezavipour, and Homayoun Sirizi - alongside new work by San Francisco-based artist Taraneh Hemami, this exhibition compiles a collective narrative of everyday Tehran, demystifying life in a country that has been misunderstood and maligned for decades. Through Sat, Jan. 23, 2010, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. FREE Gallery hours are Wednesdays - Saturdays, noon-5 p.m. 446 Valencia St.
 www.theintersection.org.

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